Medical Marijuana

10:50 am

Wed January 22, 2014

Backers of Medical Marijuana Close to Needed Signatures for Ballot

Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana have submitted the great majority of needed signatures ahead of a February first deadline. According to the Florida Division of Elections website, the group People United for Medical Marijuana had submitted more than 542-thousand valid signatures as of mid-day Tuesday.

The group must submit 683,149 valid signatures by the end of January to get the proposal on the November ballot. Supporters of the ballot measure also still need the Florida Supreme Court's approval of the proposed wording, which has drawn opposition from Attorney General Pam Bondi and Republican legislative leaders.

On Tuesday, Governor Rick Scott said he's still opposed to legalization.

"I've said all along I'm against illegal drug use. I've watched how it impacts families. The attorney general gave her best advice to the Supreme Court."

If the constitutional amendment reaches the ballot in November, sixty percent of voters would have to support the measure for it to pass.